2. Contact Info

3. Dealer Selection

While the Fiat 500 made a splashy entrance into the U.S. market, its sales didn’t exactly take off out of the gate, although it has picked up momentum recently. CEO Sergio Marchionne told us: “It’s no one’s fault but mine. There weren’t enough dealers, and the 500 alone wasn’t the right car to establish the brand — it’s physically too small to be a big player.”

The new 500L is a whole different proposition, especially from a size standpoint. It’s built on a brand-new platform that’s longer, wider, and stronger, and it encloses a remarkable amount of space within its 163-inch length.

Scaled-down minivans are an established sector in Europe. But in the U.S., the 500L’s opposition is scarcer and less obvious. Fiat cites the Mini Countryman and the VW Golf. It certainly matches (or beats) the Golf for space, but the front-drive version of the Countryman is its more logical rival.

The big Mini was designed for people whose sense of style and mindset fit the Mini brand, but whose physical needs weren’t met by the original hatchback. Fiat’s using roughly the same playbook for the 500L. There are enough of the 500’s design cues to attract the same type of consumer love. And it’s got a dose of Italian chemistry, too: On the 500L’s accessory list is the world’s first in-car espresso machine.

Motor Trend was among the very first to sample the 500L in U.S. trim, as a prototype undergoing final development. It gets a 1.4-liter MultiAir engine pushing 165 horsepower, mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission — a powertrain that’s been worked over for the U.S. It also runs American market-tuned suspension settings, steering calibration, and all-season tires.

In fact, the 500L was designed from the get-go with U.S. requirements in mind. Fiat says its complex front structure, with three crash paths using steel and aluminum in various places, meets all U.S. legislation and NCAP requirements. Same for its side and rear impact zones. The interior is plenty big enough for four U.S. adults and their oversized beverage bottles. The infotainment system, with touch screen and voice activation, was developed with Chrysler‘s UConnect team. The air ventilation system is more effective and efficient than is typical in this class.

The driving position is at the altitude of a small crossover, so you walk into the 500L — through unusually large door openings — instead of sitting down in it. Visibility is excellent, as the main structural pillars are relatively rearward in your vision, with only a slim pair of supplementary pillars on either side of the windshield.

There’s almost nothing of the 500 hatchback’s dials or switchgear in here. It feels more finished, with better materials and attractive metallic garnishes. But the overall flavor of the 500 hatchback’s cheery design spirit is still present, with splashes of bright color on the seats and fascia, if that’s what you want. (Our car for most of these photos had a gray cabin, and you’ll notice it also had a six-speed manual gearbox, which will also be available in the U.S.)

Rear space is tremendous for such a small car. It’s an upright and raised position, ideal for kids, but adults will still find plenty of head space, and their feet will fit comfortably into a deep space beneath the front seats. For times when you need more trunk space, the rear bench slides forward at the expense of some legroom. The front passenger seat backrest folds forward so the 500L can swallow surfboard-shaped objects, and the trunk floor can be set to three different levels. The back seats also double-fold with a simple, one-hand action.

A year after this model launches, there will be a version with a 9-inch-longer rear overhang, giving the option of a bigger trunk or sixth and seventh seats, if only for kids.

The 500L doesn’t set out to ape the 500 hatch’s terrier urban agility. It runs a more comfort-biased chassis. The ride is pliant and shrugs off potholes. Road and wind noise are decently suppressed. It’s a placid place to travel, but it’s far from depressing for the driver. The handling emphasizes stability, but understeer doesn’t intervene too soon. The Mini Countryman will tickle its driver more, but the 500L is a whole lot more agile than many small front-drive crossovers. Damping of major body motions is well-contained, too.

The steering is well-weighted and accurate. There’s different electric power steering tuning for the U.S. model versus the European version. Detroit engineers told their counterparts in Turin that U.S. customers want relatively light weight just off-center, while Euro drivers want a system that weights up more for stronger centering on fast European motorways. The difference between the two 500L versions is subtle but definite.

The 1.4-liter turbo engine, similar to the unit available for the Dodge Dart, uses the Fiat Group’s MultiAir wide-scope valve control system. It gives the engine a reasonably keen response across the rev band and has the potential for remarkable fuel economy. The calibration of the DCT is sweet, with a subtle creep in traffic. Shift quality was smooth under nearly every circumstance of our test, but that didn’t include significant urban speed maneuvers.

The 500L’s driving character is a refreshingly honest reflection of the likely use patterns of its buyers. And even though its visual detailing strikes some surprisingly desirable notes, the sheetmetal’s chubby proportions reflect the fact it’s a basically a mini-minivan. Let’s just say an Abarth version isn’t too likely. But that shouldn’t impede its success as a compact and cheery urban people-mover.

Fair Market Price

EPA MPG

Horsepower

Torque

Fair Market Price

Fair Market Price is the price a consumer can reasonably expect to
pay for a new vehicle at a dealership at the end of negotiations, and
includes destination charges, taxes and fees. The actual transaction
price will be dependent on innumerable variables, from the
dealer’s inventory to the buyer’s bargaining skills, so
this figure is an approximation.

2017 FIAT 500L News and Reviews

Crossovers are hot sellers today, but they’re not always the right solution for hauling around everything from kids to cargo. In some cases, hatchbacks and sedans are still better packaged than high-riding crossovers -- keep reading for 11 cars that debunk the idea that crossovers are always more practical and better at hauling any mix of people and cargo. Ford…

If sales are any indication, the Fiat 500L probably isn't on your short list of potential new cars. But what if it was a former Popemobile? A Fiat 500L wagon that chauffeured Pope Francis around Philadelphia last year is now heading to auction. The car will go on sale January 29 at a charity event ahead of the Philadelphia auto…

Featured Video

Fair Market Price

EPA MPG

Horsepower

Torque

Fair Market Price

Fair Market Price is the price a consumer can reasonably expect to
pay for a new vehicle at a dealership at the end of negotiations, and
includes destination charges, taxes and fees. The actual transaction
price will be dependent on innumerable variables, from the
dealer’s inventory to the buyer’s bargaining skills, so
this figure is an approximation.